Turone's goal

Lore & Background

The event occurred on 10 May 1981 during a match between Juventus and Roma in Turin. Juventus led Serie A by one point over Roma, with two games remaining after this match. The game was tight and physical, with Juventus midfielder Giuseppe Furino sent off for persistent fouling. Ten minutes before the end, Roma sweeper Maurizio Turone headed a ball from forward Roberto Pruzzo toward goal; goalkeeper Dino Zoff could not save it, and it appeared Roma had taken a 1-0 lead. However, the linesman signaled offside, and referee Paolo Bergamo disallowed the goal. The match ended 0-0.

Reader's Guide

Turone's goal remains a landmark controversy in Italian football because the TV images never definitively clarified whether Turone was offside. Conflicting opinions, projections using new technologies, and alleged manipulation of slow motion have continued to emerge over the years. The disallowed goal directly impacted the 1980–81 Serie A title race: Juventus won their remaining two matches (1-0 against Napoli and 1-0 against Fiorentina), while Roma beat Pistoiese but only drew with Avellino on the final day. Juventus won the league by two points (44 to 42). The incident fueled enduring anti-Juventus sentiment and remains a hot topic in Italian football, especially in the rivalry with Roma. Its legacy is that of an unresolved dispute, with no definitive proof ever settling the offside call.

Did You Know?

• The goal was disallowed after the linesman signaled offside, and referee Paolo Bergamo upheld the call.
• The match ended 0-0, leaving Juventus one point ahead of Roma with two games left in the season.
• Juventus won the 1980–81 Serie A title by two points over Roma, 44 to 42.
• TV images never definitively clarified whether Turone's position was irregular.